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How to permanently delete a private channel in Teams

Anonymous
2020-10-06T22:30:05+00:00

Hi,

I am a teacher - I created private channels for each of my students at the beginning of the semester, but have lot's of movement in and out of my class, and am therefore now trying to add new channels for students who have just entered my class. I "deleted" five students from my class, and should technically still have room for four more private channels, but I'm getting a message that says that I've reached the limit for private channels (30). I only have 26 channels, so am wondering if I need to complete an additional step than I already have to create room for more private channels.

Thanks.

Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams for education | Teams and channels | Delete a team or channel

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-03-05T00:53:49+00:00

    It would be great if Microsoft didn't leave massive bear traps like this just lying around for admins to wander into. I'd be grateful if you could feed back to someone how serious this shortcoming is.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2021-04-29T21:21:24+00:00

    Hi everyone - I have a work-around solution that just might work for you all. It is essentially "recycling" an old private channel to suit new needs. 

    Go to your "Manage Team" area by clicking the three dots next to your Team's name. 

    Next, click on the "Channels" tab. 

    You should see a list of "active" channels and a "deleted" channels list just below (it might be minimized). 

    Expand the "deleted" items list and you will see all your removed channels. Click "restore" to bring the private channels back into your list. 

    Now that you have the channels back, click the three dots next to the channel name and edit the channel to give it a new name. 

    Go through the posts tab to delete any posts from the previous student/yourself that you would not want the newly added student to access. 

    Click the three dots again and choose "manage channel" to make sure there are no students in the channel already.

    When it is empty of posts and members you can add the new kiddos into the channel by clicking the +member button.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2021-05-14T12:11:12+00:00

    There is a workaround you can use.

    Restore the deleted channel: Team ...  Manage Team - Channels - Deleted at the bottom

    Then Rename the channel: Channel ... Edit this channel.

    This also works as a workaround to change a channel from private to public - rename the private one, delete and create the public one.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-25T15:39:21+00:00

    I am very dissatisfied with your answer. 

    There must be a way to change this.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Didi 15,515 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-10-06T22:43:39+00:00

    Hi Charlene,

    My name is Didi, an Independent Advisor. I'll be happy to assist you today.

    If it hasn't been 30 days since you deleted the private channel, you won't be able to add another private channel. During this period it continues to be counted towards the 30 private channel per team limit.

    However, after 30 days, a deleted channel and its content are permanently deleted and the channel no longer counts towards the per team limit.

    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams...

    Let me know if you have other questions.

    Thank you.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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